I Promise, Darling

Chapter 2

"So Rose, the box came up a little late this time and we've only got a couple of hours until it gets dark. That means we're going to have to do the tour tomorrow." Alby explained. "Also, since you're the first girl here, I need to speak to the other Gladers about what we're going to do and where you're going to sleep."

"Gladers?" I'd only been here a few minutes and I was already so confused.

"You see, we call this place the Glade" Newt explained while gesturing to the area around us. "So we call everyone inside Gladers. We have a lot of words you won't understand straight away but in time you'll get it."

"Newt, Minho's back. We can start the gathering. Go find Chuck and get him to stay with Rose while we talk" Alby instructed Newt before gesturing for the boy, who must be Minho, to come over.

"Okay, I'll introduce Minho to Rose before we go so he knows what's going on" Newt said to Alby who nodded in agreement.

From a distance Minho looked familiar and I couldn't understand why. I tried to remember anything I could but my thoughts were interrupted.

"Hey Alby, Newt. Who's this?"  Minho asked while looking at me. He eyed me up and down and looked just as confused as the others had earlier. Once he noticed I knew he was staring at me he gave me a smile. A genuine smile which made me feel a little bit more comfortable here.

"Minho, this is Rose. The new greenie." Newt explained.

"Well, hi Rose! I'm Minho but I guess you've just figured that out!" Minho responded while looking a little bit nervous and flustered. Why was he nervous?

Alby and Newt must have noticed the way Minho was acting because both of them were sniggering to each other.

"Hi! It's nice to meet you" I replied with a smile. This just seemed to make Minho even more flustered.

"We're going to have a gathering Minho to work out what we're going to with Rose. Since she's the first and only girl I don't think it'll be good for her to sleep outside so we need to sort that out. Meet us at the homestead in 10 minutes. " Newt explained.

"Okay, see you later Rose!" Minho said before heading to a building.

"Right, let's go and find Chuck to keep you company for a bit." Newt said before walking towards some hammocks.

While I followed Newt I decided to take in my surroundings. The area which seemed to be called the Glade was just a large area of green land which had a bit of a forest. There were a couple of buildings around which looked as though they were built with whatever could be found. Some buildings looked better and safer than others! Surrounding the area there were four dark grey stone walls which stood tall. It was if they were guarding the Glade and everyone inside it. I wanted to ask Newt what was behind those walls so much but before I could even begin to talk Newt started to introduce me to Chuck.

"Hi Chuck! Could you stay with Rose for a bit while Alby and I hold a gathering?" Newt asked Chuck.

"Sure, I think I'll be able to do that" Chuck replied with a cute smile on his face.

Chuck looked to have been the youngest boy here. He was quite small, chubby and looked to be about 12 years old. Sympathy took over your emotions knowing that Chuck had been taken from his family and placed in this horrific place. Why are people doing this to us?

"So, how does it feel to be the new Greenie?" Chuck asked.

"Not that great to be quite honest. How long will it take for people to stop calling me Greenie?" I asked. I was really starting to get annoyed that no one was actually calling me by my name.

"If they treat you like they treated me they'll stop calling you it when a new Greenie arrives. If they don't then maybe a week or so. It all depends really on how they're feeling." Chuck told you. "You know, it's not as bad as it seems. Once you get used to it here it's actually alright. We're just a big family now and we all work together."

"What do you think they're talking about in there?" You asked while looking at the building the gathering was being held in.

"Probably what they're going to do with you. You've caused quite a stir you know? Ever since you've arrived everyone's just been saying what they're going to do to you. And to be honest, it doesn't sound that good! Quite disgusting actually. I feel sorry for you being the only girl. But you don't have to worry, Alby, Newt, Minho and I will look after you" Chuck told you with a serious tone that didn't suit him.

For the next half an hour Chick and I decided to see who had the best jokes to try and keep each other entertained while we waited for Newt and Alby. It turns out that we both had terrible jokes but we were still in fits of laughter when Newt came over to us.

"What's going on here?" Newt wearily asked.

Before I could answer Newt I had to take a deep breath and wipe away the tears that had formed from laughing too much!

"Chuck had the idea that we should see who had the best jokes. And if your wondering who does have the best jokes neither of us do. We are both awful." I answered as seriously as I could.

"Right...okay. Well, we've finished the gathering and decided that you've not going to sleep outside in the hammocks like all the others. This place is full of teenage boys who haven't seen a girl for a while so we decided that was the best thing to do." Newt explained.

"So where am I going to sleep?"

"In the homestead with all of the keepers. At the moment we don't have a room specifically for you so you'll be sharing a room with Minho. But don't worry, he won't try anything. Trust me. Now, follow me. I'll show you to your room." Newt said.

I said a quick goodbye to Chuck before following Newt.

"You know, Minho was quite insistent on not letting you sleep outside. I think you've had quite an effect on him." Newt told me before nudging my side with his elbow. "It's nice to see though. He's always really stressed but when he met you he seemed happy and since he hasn't stopped smiling. But seriously Rose, Minho won't try anything. He will protect you."

I didn't really know how to respond to Newt. I was quite shocked that Minho was acting that way but in a way it was nice that someone cared for me.

Newt stopped before a building which I now know to be the homestead.

"Minho will take it from here. We're having a bonfire tonight so don't get too comfy up there!" Newt informed me.

"Hey Rose, so unfortunately you've got to share a room with me" Minho joked.

"I know, poor me!" I chucked.

"It's not the biggest but it'll fit us both. Follow me and I'll show you where it is"

Minho showed me along a small corridor and up some stairs before reaching his room. To my surprise his room was tidy and it did actually have quite a bit of room.

"For now we only have one bed so I'll take the floor and you can have the bed" Minho explained.

"No, I'll take the floor. You've been here way longer than me." I urged. It wasn't fair on Minho to sleep on the floor.

"No way. But we're not going to argue about it now. We've got a bonfire to get to!" Minho cheered.